Prisoners – Sharing the Light

Prisoners – Sharing the Light

Sara Downham-Lotto Spring 2020

Based on the success of the Great Prison Art Exchange and in response to the Covid crisis,in April 2020, Arts Lab began a pilot project – Prisoners Sharing the Light – working with 50+ vulnerable male prisoners at Dartmoor prison. The aim of the project is to address the immediate need of prisoners currently adapting to contact restrictions, solitarily locked up in cells 23 hours a day. Responding to a large increase in issues of isolation and anxiety, Prisoners Sharing the Light provides creative outlet and time-passing activities under lockdown.

Main aims are to:

Use art as a means for male prisoners to stay safe, occupied and positive.

Provide opportunity for expression and to offload anxiety.

Reduce instances of suicide, self harm and depression.

Uplift in-cell spaces with weekly posters.

Further strengthen our working partnership with HMP Dartmoor.

‘At this time, we have developed a huge number of in-cell activities for the prisoners. Arts Lab’s Sharing the Light is the one thing we do that allows the prisoners to express themselves freely, that isn’t ticking boxes in exercise books and helps them to offload anxieties such as missing family. There is no question, that it is helping to reduce incidents of self-harm and suicide inside the prison already, creating an overall sense of calm and positivity in the prison environment.’

Danny Branley – Head of Learning Skills & Employment HMP Dartmoor

‘Glad to hear you’re getting lots of feedback from the prisoners. With the elderly population, mental health and staff shortages, it must be especially hard for them right now. Keep up the good work.’